…observations from the driver's seat

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Hello class, today’s BOLD Law is…Focus on the Plan, not the Problem…What do you think when you hear this?

We all have plans, not just for our careers, but for our lives…for entreprenuer’s those plans likely look different than for most of the population. What are your plans? Your dreams? Is your plan to change jobs in 2016? Follow your passion into something new? Take the family on an amazing vacation? Do something just for you?

For a REALTOR® like myself, I create and follow a detailed business plan every year and I am fortunate to have a business coach to keep me on track. 2014…I hit my goal and basically stopped following my plan and 2015, while good, did not culminate in my reaching my goal and I learned…that I am the problem! I know what to do, I know what it takes, I just didn’t do it!

My biggest issue is keeping my energy level high enough to continue to work as hard as I do for my clients – I forgot about myself. I know I need time off…to spend with my family, my friends and frankly, myself, to read and relax. I built that time off into my plan for this year and it will be amazing! (Bonus, read the book The Power of Full Engagement to understand a little more)

2016 is about following my plan…things are a little behind, but I fully expect to catch up in the next 3 months. I need only 1 listing or 1 buyer appointment each week – that doesn’t seem so difficult does it? So remember me when if 2016 is about buying or selling a home for you!

What are your 2016 plans…remember, focus on that plan and the problems you feel are in the way will not be insurmountable.

I struggle with my faith. No, I don’t go to church, but I do believe in God, that things are truly in his hands and everything happens for a reason. At 45 I made a decision that has changed my life – I became a licensed realtor and ultimately went into business for myself…you see, my dream has always been to be a CEO and I figured out that I wasn’t going to get there unless I went into business for myself!

As I have mentioned in earlier posts, the BOLD Laws are great and really keep me focused on what is important. The one that leapt from the page today is “Fear or Faith…You Choose” and it inspired this post. I have faith in my abilities, however, blind faith is a challenge I face everyday. One of my Facebook friends posted this and I felt it really spoke to me:

Sometimes God will ask you to do things that you’re afraid of. Just because you’re afraid doesn’t mean you’re not supposed to do it. You have to get out of your comfort zone and do it afraid. If you play it safe all your life, you’ll never reach your full potential. That’s what faith is all about.

My biggest challenge every day is overcoming my fear of failure, however, I am grateful and thankful every day that I am a part of a company which gives me the tools, training and opportunities to grow as well as family and friends who have blind faith in me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. How can I fail with all of this on my side. My goals for this year are big and I get up every morning and work through my affirmations, my gratitude and start my day in faith…how about you?

Really ESPY…Caitlyn Jenner as the Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner? This is a FORMER Olympic Champion who after years of living with the media…well the word I want to use is inappropriate…family and it;s pimp of a momager you decide to become a woman…and that takes courage? More than…

Noah Galloway? Galloway is a U.S. Army veteran. He lost two of his limbs while fighting in the Iraq War. He was given a second chance at life, and most recently competed on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars (he danced himself to third place with the help of Sharna Burgess). Noah (click here to read his story) served our country and is firm believer in giving back to those around him in need, Galloway recently created the No Excuses Charitable Fund, which raises money and awareness for organizations that mean the most to him, including Operation Enduring Warrior and the YMCA of Alabaster, AL Despite what some may call “handicaps” , he continues to compete, participating in adventure races around the country, such as Tough Mudder, Spartan events, Crossfit competitions plus numerous 5K and 10K races.

Lauren Hill? “Never give up.”…this was Lauren’s mantra as she battled a brain tumor and rallied those around her to help her achieve her dream of playing in a NCAA game. Hill attended Mount St. Joseph a Division III school and played after being diagnosed with the inoperable tumor. She spent her final year polishing a layup and inspiring others to live fully. “She taught us that every day is a blessing, every moment is a gift,” school President Tony Aretz said. She did it by showing up for practice even though turning her head made her dizzy and left her physically spent. She appeared in four games, making five layups, before the tumor’s effects forced her to stop. To read more of Lauren’s story click here

There are many other inspiring athlete’s out there, why Jenner? Would love to hear your opinions!

…that Indianapolis has a thriving live theatre community? It can be anything from the Broadway Series to local actors/actresses in local productions and the list of 2015 productions is amazing! We have so many options in Indy, large to small…

Clowes Hall at Butler is always a great place to see a play, this year hosting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast and for those of us of a certain age…Dirty Dancing!

One of my favorite productions every year is the University of Indianapolis Dinner Theatre – always entertaining, my friends and I have been going for years! This year’s performance is the female version of The Odd Couple! I expect that the food will be good, the production excellent and the company even better. UIndy hosts a number of productions throughout the year, I’ve seen several and never been disappointed.

For more information about all of these productions and venues, click the links within the post or visit Indy Arts Guide or Indianapolis Theatre for more information…I’ll be checking out some of them…will you?

Saw this on Facebook the other day and as a farm girl, this advice reminded me of my Dad and my Pappa…and makes a whole lot of sense!

Advices from An Old FarmerYour fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered… not yelled.
Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life… Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Don ‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around..
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.
Most times, it just gets down to common sense.

Have you ever heard of “float therapy” Indy got it’s first float therapy center on the Westside in November and I understand that Irvington will be getting one early in 2015. As a resident of Irvington, I’m excited and intrigued by this new business!

What is it you ask? Well…the Better Being Float Center offers the experience of near-total sensory deprivation and from what I’ve read, once you’ve done it, nothing compares. Shiny white fiberglass Float Pods are filled with approximately 10 inches of water and about 900 pounds of dissolved Epsom salts, the saltwater environment makes it difficult for germs to live in the water, but the tanks and water are cleaned and sanitized in between uses with hydrogen peroxide, UV, ozone, and filters.

Before you get into the float pod, a shower is required, and it’s recommended to apply petroleum jelly (provided) to any cuts or scrapes because salt can sting. For that same reason, it’s recommended to not shave prior to a float. Earplugs are provided to prevent water from entering the ears and an iPod dock is available to pipe music through speakers inside the pod. There are also controls to adjust sound and the light inside. The lights outside the pod are on a motion sensor, turning off shortly after one settles in the pod and back on upon exiting.

What does one wear to a “float” ? Sure you can wear a swimsuit, but since the room is completely private and locked, why not go au natural!

Again, I haven’t experienced this…yet, but I hear that getting into the tank is like getting into a shallow bathtub and the temperature of the water adjusts, along with the air inside the tank, to match your body’s internal temperature. You simply step into the tub, pull the lid closed, lay down and, well, float.

I’m a little concerned about claustrophobia and I would guess that I’m not the only one! If it’s an issue, you can leave the lid open or open it whenever you want! The pods are designed to make a smooth and pleasant experience. They also recommend avoiding caffeine, nicotine and heavy meals prior to a float session.

The sessions are 90 minutes and $59, in addition to the relaxation for mind and body that floatation therapy offers, there are reported physical benefits including recovery from workouts and injuries, and provides relief from Fibromyalgia, arthritis, joint and back pain.

Try it and decide you like it? Float tanks are sold for residential use. Royal Spa sells commercial and residential float tanks, including economy tanks and float rooms made in Indiana. Prices start at $6,950 for an economy tank and range up to $11,000 for a custom float room set-up. Want to try it? Visit the Better Being Float Center at 3065 Salt Lake Road on Indy’s Westside and watch for news of a location in Irvington early next year!

There are benefits to buying a home at the end of the year, plus what a great Christmas gift to yourself!

Summer may be our busy season, but winter offers great opportunities for buying a house, especially for renters looking to become homeowners, growing families trading up to larger houses and baby boomers seeking homes to fit their evolving lifestyles. The housing choices during December are less than in the spring, but market-wise, but if that fits your timeline, you could luck out. The benefits to buying a house at the end of the year are fairly extensive:

1. Tax savings – If you close by December 31, you can deduct mortgage interest, property taxes, points on your loan and interest costs. These deductions can be significant, especially in the early years of your loan when you’re paying off a lot of interest.

2. Motivated sellers – Many sellers want to enjoy tax savings on the next home they purchase. They may accept lower bids in order to meet Uncle Sam’s deadlines. However, if you’re in a strong seller’s market, you’ll want to be conservative and heed advice from a real estate professional, like me!

3. Builder incentives – there are a number of Indianapolis builders who have “inventory” or “spec” homes that are available now and empty! As the builders move to close out their year, they may offer upgrades or little extras to sell houses before the calendar turns.

4. Available movers – Many moving companies are booked six weeks or more in advance during the busy summer months, in the winter, it’s normally easier to find a moving company or rental equipment on shorter notice.

5. Paying toward something you own – If you’re renting, your monthly check goes toward something that will last you a month: You’ll never see any return on that money. When you buy a house, your monthly mortgage payment goes toward an investment—and ultimately a roof that’s yours.

6. Consistent payments – Landlords will likely increase your rent every year, once you buy a home, you can rely on consistent payments if you have a fixed-rate loan, the only fluctuation you might see is if your homeowners insurance or property taxes go up or down!

8. Gaining equity – In the beginning, most of your payment goes toward interest. But gradually more will go toward paying off your principal, meaning you build up equity—or savings—in your home. Another factor in equity is appreciation: As home values rise, so does your rate of equity!

So who do you know that I can help Turn their dreams into an address…?